🔥 HOME FIRE ESCAPE PLAN 🔥

Bedford Fire Department • A Complete Family Safety Guide

24 sec
How often house fires occur in the US
2-3 min
Time you have to escape safely
50%
Reduction in fire deaths with working smoke alarms
Night
When most fatal fires occur

Why You Need a Fire Escape Plan

House fires spread incredibly fast, often giving families just 2-3 minutes to escape safely. Having a well-planned and practiced escape route can mean the difference between life and death. Every second counts when fire strikes.

Family practicing fire safety

Practice saves lives

Critical Fact: Most fatal fires happen at night when families are sleeping, and you may have as little as 2 minutes to escape.
Click here for a safety tip!

Creating Your Escape Plan

Step 1: Draw Your Home's Floor Plan

Start by sketching a simple floor plan of your home. Include:

  • All rooms and spaces
  • All doors and windows
  • Hallways and stairways
  • Location of smoke alarms
  • Location of fire extinguishers
  • Any obstacles that might block escape routes
House floor plan example

Simple floor plan sketch

Drawing Tip: Keep it simple - focus on escape routes, not room details. Make copies so each family member has one.

Step 2: Plan Two Ways Out

Primary Routes:

  • Main exits like front and back doors
  • Normal pathways through the house

Secondary Routes:

  • Windows (ensure they open easily)
  • Alternative doors
  • Fire escape ladders for upper floors

Step 3: Special Considerations

For Children:

  • Children under 8 often hide during fires
  • Assign an adult to help young children
  • Practice waking children up
  • Consider escape ladders for bedrooms

For Older Adults or People with Disabilities:

  • Plan assistance for those who need help
  • Consider mobility aids and keep them accessible
  • Install additional smoke alarms in bedrooms
  • Practice extra time for evacuation

Step 4: Choose Your Meeting Place

Select a safe meeting place outside your home where everyone will gather. Your meeting place should be:

  • Far enough away - At least 30 feet from your house
  • Easy to remember - A neighbor's house, mailbox, or large tree
  • Visible from the street - So firefighters can see your family is safe
  • Accessible - Consider family members with mobility issues
Safe family meeting location example

Safe meeting location

Step 5: Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms

Where to Install:

  • Inside every bedroom
  • Outside each sleeping area
  • On every level of the home
  • At the top of stairways

Maintenance Schedule:

  • Test alarms monthly
  • Replace batteries annually
  • Replace units every 10 years
  • Clean alarms regularly
Modern smoke alarm installation

Properly installed smoke alarm

Emergency Procedures

Remember: Get out fast and stay out. No possession is worth risking your life.
Emergency exit and evacuation

Every second counts

If You Hear the Smoke Alarm:

  1. GET OUT immediately - Don't investigate or grab belongings
  2. STAY LOW - Crawl under smoke, which rises toward ceilings
  3. TEST doors - Use the back of your hand to check if doors are hot
  4. CLOSE doors behind you - This slows the spread of fire and smoke
  5. GO to your meeting place - Don't stop until you're at the designated spot
  6. CALL 911 - Only after you're safely outside
  7. NEVER go back inside - Wait for firefighters to arrive

If You're Trapped:

  • Close the door between you and the fire
  • Stuff cracks with clothing or towels to keep smoke out
  • Go to the window and signal for help
  • Call 911 and tell them exactly where you are
  • Stay on the line with 911

Practice Your Plan

Regular practice ensures your family can execute the escape plan quickly and safely during an emergency.

Family practicing fire drill

Practice makes perfect

Monthly Fire Drills:

  • Practice at different times, including nighttime
  • Start by sounding the smoke alarm
  • Use different escape routes each time
  • Time your escape - aim for under 3 minutes
  • Practice staying low to avoid smoke
  • Practice "Stop, Drop, and Roll" if clothes catch fire

Fire Prevention Tips

Fire safety equipment including extinguisher and smoke alarm

Essential fire safety equipment

Kitchen Safety:

  • Never leave cooking unattended
  • Keep pot handles turned inward
  • Clean grease buildup regularly
  • Have a fire extinguisher nearby

Electrical Safety:

  • Don't overload outlets or cords
  • Replace frayed electrical cords
  • Use surge protectors appropriately
  • Check old wiring professionally

Heating Safety:

  • Clean dryer vents regularly
  • Maintain fireplaces annually
  • Keep space heaters 3 feet from flammables
  • Never use generators or grills indoors
Click for a practice tip!

Your Family's Escape Plan Template

Use this comprehensive template to create your personalized fire escape plan. Fill out all sections, print copies, and keep them accessible to your family.

Family planning document with pen

Complete planning template

HOME FIRE ESCAPE PLAN

Family Safety Document

CRITICAL REMINDERS:

  • You have only 2-3 minutes to escape safely
  • Stay low under smoke - crawl if necessary
  • Test doors with the back of your hand before opening
  • Never go back inside for any reason
  • Call 911 only after you're safely outside

This plan must be reviewed every 6 months and practiced monthly with all family members.

FAMILY MEMBERS & RESPONSIBILITIES

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR CHILDREN:

  • Children under 8 often hide during fires instead of escaping
  • Practice waking children from sleep - they may not wake to smoke alarms
  • Assign a specific adult to help each young child
  • Teach children to test doors and stay low under smoke
  • Never leave young children to escape on their own

EMERGENCY CONTACTS & SETUP CHECKLIST

Emergency Contact Information:

One-Time Setup Checklist:

Planning Tasks:

Safety Equipment:

FIRE DRILL LOG & MAINTENANCE

Monthly Maintenance Checklist:

Fire Drill Practice Log:

Date
Escape Time
Notes & Improvements Needed

Plan Approval & Review Schedule:

Signature and Date

Signature and Date

NEXT REVIEW DATES:

6 Months:
12 Months:
18 Months: